We Are Open!

In compliance with the New York State Governor’s Executive Order, our parish office will be open to the public effective Monday, June 1. We will have summer office hours as follows:
 

• Monday 9 AM to 2 PM,
• Tuesday to Thursday 9 AM to 3 PM
• Friday 9 AM to noon.

 
Please be advised that with the re-opening of our office, employees and visitors will be in compliance with NYS Safety Plan requirements to include physical distancing of 6 feet distance between individuals as well as wearing an acceptable face mask while in the building. We appreciate your cooperation with these requirements. 

We look forward to seeing you! 

Update and Clarification on NYS Lifting COVID-19 Restrictions from the Office of the Bishop of Ogdensburg

COVID-19 PROTOCOL UPDATE

June 18, 2021

Guidelines to re-opening our churches per NYS Department of Health directives:

     New York State announced that COVID-19 restrictions are lifted immediately because 70 percent of New Yorkers aged 18 or older have received at least one vaccination. The State health guidance and guidelines, including social gathering limits, capacity restrictions, social distancing, cleaning and disinfection, wearing of face coverings for the vaccinated (including during the distribution of Holy Communion by the priest, deacon or Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist), health screening and contract tracing, are lifted and are now optional.

     Unvaccinated individuals continue to be responsible for wearing masks under CDC directives. Additionally, health guidelines for large-scale indoor events (5,000 persons or more), pre-k to grade 12 schools, public transportation, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes and health care settings remain in effect per CDC guidelines.

    Health and Obligation to Attend Mass:

     I lifted the general dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass on the Feast of Corpus Christi, June 6, 2021. However, the obligation to attend Sunday Mass does not apply to individuals who are sick, in a vulnerable category (elderly, individuals with weakened immune systems, people with long term conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart conditions, respiratory conditions and the like), those who continue to have significant anxiety or concerns about returning to Mass in person. I request that the streaming of Sunday Eucharistic celebrations be maintained for the benefit of those who are still not in a position to attend Mass in person.

Celebration of the Eucharist

     The Instructions of the Universal Church and our Diocese for the worthy and reverent celebration of the Eucharist and the Sacraments are to be followed, with the following exceptions:

     • The distribution of Holy Communion will continue to be under one form, namely the Sacred Host. Continue to encourage reception of Communion in the hand.
     • The principal celebrant’s chalice is not shared; concelebrating priests should receive both Sacred Species by intinction (or they should have individual chalices for the reception of the Precious Blood).
     • The optional sign of peace may by exchanged in some form that does not involve physical contact: for example, a bow toward or wave to others. It also can continue to be omitted.
     • Our churches, as houses of God, should continue to be kept clean, specifically the sanitizing of frequently touched surfaces and objects. Cleaning between Masses is no longer required.
     • Holy water may be placed in fonts, provided that the Holy Water is replaced at least weekly and fonts cleaned. Otherwise, Holy water fonts should remain empty.
     • Churches should continue to assure good ventilation by introducing fresh air, whenever possible.
     • Hand sanitizer should remain available at the entrances of our churches and buildings and should be available for those serving in any ministry at Mass, particularly before the distribution of Holy Communion.

Baptisms and Anointings

     • Baptisms continue to use only fresh water for each baptism and the fonts are to be cleaned afterwards.
     • Anointing of the Sick may be celebrated in the normal fashion, i.e., without the use of cotton balls.
     • Cotton balls are no longer necessary for Confirmations.

     In implementing these protocols, prudential judgment should be used in serving those entrusted to your pastoral care. I encourage you to discuss these matters with your parishioners and in consultation with your parish pastoral councils, if possible.

     Pastors are asked to recognize that it will take time for all in our communities to feel comfortable in resuming pre-pandemic activities. Please communicate that there are no longer any capacity restrictions on houses of worship, and to err on the side of caution we will continue prudent and sensible practices to clean our churches and assure the safety of our parishioners.

     I am most grateful to you for your patience, dedication, cooperation, and your pastoral outreach to your parishioners during this trying time. May God bless you all!

~ Bishop Terry LaValley

LIVESTREAMED & RADIO BROADCAST MASSES 

• Daily Mass - live streamed at regularly scheduled Mass 
• Sunday Mass - live streamed at 11:00 am each Sunday at St. Mary’s
• Sunday Mass - broadcast on radio 1340WMSA Sundays at 6pm

We’re livestreaming our Masses and events on our Facebook page (facebook.com/massenacatholics) and website (www.massenacatholics.com).

 SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION 

• Saturdays:  2-3:45 pm at Sacred Heart Church (side-chapel)
   

FLOCKNOTE

This new tool we're using lets you choose what info you'd like to receive - via email or text message - from the various ministries and groups in our church. You can unsubscribe any time. To register, go to flocknote.com/stpetersparish.

PS: Be sure to sign up for Weekly Word on Flocknote and get regular emails with all sorts of neat info ranging from quotes from scripture readings, parish updates and really cool messages and videos from your pastor Father Mark Reilly.  

FORMED.ORG

Get the best Catholic media at your fingertips – movies, audio books, e-books and much more for the entire family! Learn and enjoy your faith at home and on the go, from any device. Please go to our website for your free digital subscription of FORMED.org.

PARISH BULLETIN

Parish bulletins are still available in the vestibule of the churches during open hours and online though our website. Bonus! We have a clear, plastic holder located outside next to our side entrance at the parish office (near Tim Hortons) where you can pick up your bulletin anytime!

SOCIAL MEDIA 

Due to the suspension of Masses in the current situation, there is an impact on weekly giving and our ability to fund the work of the parish. If you are able to continue supporting the parish, we would like to offer parishioners options for providing continued financial support to operate our parish.  
 
Options for providing continued financial support to your parish:

• Sign up for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), which is easy and convenient.  Simply call and leave a message or email us and we will forward you the authorization form to complete.
• You may mail in your envelopes to St. Peter’s Parish, PO Box 329, Massena, NY  13662
• A locked mailbox is mounted on the side entrance (facing Tim Horton’s) to deposit your envelopes.

There is a donation icon on our web page. You can make your stewardship donation at massenacatholics.com through Paypal. Please consider making your online donation by clicking here.